Businessman-philanthropist will match donations to first unTEAL
A CURE
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 26, 2010 - Moved by the death of an
employee's daughter, prominent international businessman and
philanthropist Foster Friess will make a substantial contribution
to fund ovarian cancer research at the Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen).
Friess and his wife, Lynn, are prepared to match, up to $50,000,
contributions made as part of the first unTEAL A CURE 5K, a run and
walk planned March 7 at Tempe's Kiwanis Community Park.
The event already has raised nearly $38,000, eclipsing its initial
goal of $25,000.
Foster and Lynn Friess, who split their time between Jackson, Wyo.,
and Scottsdale, were moved by the death of Taryn Ritchey, a
22-year-old woman who succumbed to ovarian cancer after valiantly
fighting the disease in 2007. Taryn's mother, Judy Jost of Cave
Creek, works as a personal assistant to Foster Friess.
"We are thrilled that Foster and Lynn Friess have, again, chosen to
honor Taryn for her heroic struggle against ovarian cancer. Their
gift will have an important impact on the success of the unTEAL A
CURE event, and TGen's research into this devastating disease,"
said Michael Bassoff, President of the TGen Foundation.
Also in Taryn's memory, Foster and Lynn Friess in 2007 presented
TGen with a gift of $250,000 for ovarian cancer research.
More than 40 family and friends of Taryn, including her stepfather
Gary Jost, will be among the more than 500 participants in unTEAL A
CURE, named for the color teal associated with ovarian
cancer.
And more people are signing up to join the fight.
Taryn's husband, Robert Ritchey, was killed in an automobile
accident on July 28, 2008 - one year and two days after Taryn
passed away. Robert's family also plans to participate in the
unTEAL A CURE 5K.
And, Taryn's boss, Mary Johnson, who developed breast cancer since
Taryn's passing, plans to participate in the event with her
husband, Steve.
Judy Jost said it is important that women understand some of the
telltale signs of ovarian cancer: backaches, constipation, bloated
stomach and nausea. It is not detectable through routine Pap
smears.
"Taryn's dying wish was to be able to help other young women so
they won't have to go through what she went through. We need to
raise awareness,'' said Judy Jost, who hopes the unTEAL A CURE
event will continue next year.
Foster Friess, one of America's most successful investors over the
past half-century, has made substantial contributions to emergency
relieve and other causes worldwide, including a substantial
commitment to help victims of January's earthquake in Haiti.
*
Details
What: unTEAL A CURE 5K
Where: North end of Tempe's Kiwanis Community Park. Enter off
Baseline Road at Ash Avenue, between Kyrene Road and Mill
Avenue.
When: March 7. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.; events start at
8:30 a.m.
Why: Raise funds for TGen's ovarian cancer research.
How: Registration fees are: $30 for ages 13 and up; $10 for ages
5-12; children under 5 are free.
To register, please go to: www.helptgen.org.
More information: Contact Michele Avery at 602-625-3857 or
[email protected]
*
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
# # #